The first association in people’s minds for Panama is likely the Panama Canal, the shortcut between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans that revolutionized oceanic trade. But there is far more this country has to offer, starting with its capital city: Panama City.

Here is a list of our top 10 favorite fun things to do when you’re in Panama City, Panam:

10 Amazing Things To Do In Panama City

Visit The Miraflores Visitor Center

The Panama Canal is the shortcut between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. It is made up of a series of interconnecting Locks. The name of the last Lock on the Pacific side is Miraflores.

At the Visitor Center, you can watch the ships pass through the canal itself and the Center offers guided tours of the Canal’s history. 

Walk on the Cinta Costera

The Cinta Costera is a land reclamation project enacted in Panama City and officially opened to the public in 2009. It’s a long stretch along the coastline of the city with beautiful greenery and a view of downtown’s skyscrapers. 

Food stands can be found along the walkways and you can bike along the Cinta, as well. 

Explore Casco Viejo

Casco Viejo is Spanish for “Old Quarter,” so this is where you’ll find some beautiful old buildings from the city’s original era. For instance, you can visit La Catedral Metropolitana (finished in 1796), the city’s main Catholic church. 

There’s also the Paseo de Las Bóvedas, an esplanade across the top of the old Spanish seawall where merchants have set up their shops to sell molas and other items. There are also multiple cultural museums, like the Cultural Institute of Spain and the Diablo Rosso Art Gallery

At the end of the day, you can always hit up one of Casco Viejo’s many rooftop bars to watch the sunset over the Pacific.

Hike up Cerro Ancon

Cerro Ancon is a hill overlooking Panama City which features a beautiful panoramic view of the city and surrounding area. It’s also home to tons of wildlife that have made their home in the overgrown forest. 

Best of all, this isn’t an all-day hike. The summit is 650 feet up and it shouldn’t take you more than 30 minutes to climb it. At the top of the hill, you’ll be treated to a view of the city, old and new, as well as see the gigantic flag that has been flying at the top of Cerro Ancon since 1979. 

Visit Amador Causeway

The Causeway Islands are a small set of islands approximately 2 miles from shore, linked to Panama City by the Amador Causeway (built using stone excavated during the Canal’s construction). 

There are plenty of stores and restaurants here, as well as many spots to snap a shot of the sunset over the ocean, both on the islands and along the causeway. 

Hike in Parque Natural Metropolitano

North of Cerro Ancon is the Parque Natural Metropolitano, which in addition to animal life like parrots and sloths, has five trails for hiking. The Mono Tití trail leads to the top of Cerro Cedro, which gives you a beautiful view of the city.

It’s just 10 minutes from downtown; perfect for a daytime excursion! And if you call ahead of time, you can schedule a bilingual tour, too.

Hike in Soberanía National Park

This is the national park closest to Panama City, though it’s about 15 miles away. This park borders the Canal and is one of the best places in Panama for visiting bird watchers!

Two primary trails, Plantation and Pipeline road, are your best options for hiking if you want to take in the sights of a Panamanian jungle. 

If you want to do more than just hiking, you can bike along some of the trails. The Chagres River is also available for kayaking.

Go to the Beach on Isla Taboga

Would a tropical trip be complete without a trip to the beach? Isla Taboga is a short, 40-minute ferry ride away from Amador and you get access to some beautiful beaches. 

Be aware, however, that the high tide comes in the early afternoon and is very high and rough, so if you want to swim safely and take advantage of beach time to soak up the rays, you’ll need to get there early. Since the latest return ferry leaves Taboga at 4:00 PM, you’ll want to get it all in fast. 

Take a day trip to the Valle de Anton or the San Blas islands

The Valle de Anton is a town built in the crater of an extinct volcano, filled with rich forests. In town, you can find many options for food, hiking, and entertainment. 

You can take a guided hiking tour to Cerro La Silla, one of the beautiful mountain peaks of the Valle, grab lunch at one of many local restaurants, visit the Butterfly Haven or the El Nispero Zoo, and finish it off with a drive back home to Panama City.

Or if you’re more interested in an island day trip, the San Blas islands are a lovely choice for a day trip. They’re located in the Caribbean sea, which means that your quickest option to arrive is via plane from Panama City. However, you can get there by boat after a bus trip.

With activities like your standard tour, diving, snorkeling, and windsurfing, you’ll have plenty of options to while away your time once there. And with 364 islands in the San Blas archipelago, you’re bound to find plenty of beauty to last you the day. 

Hang out at your rooftop pool (or the rooftop pool at a friend’s apartment!)

Due to its location near the equator, Panama City rarely leaves you sequestered indoors hiding from the cold. Instead, it’s common to find rooftop pools on most buildings, often accompanied by a bar. Hotels and apartments pretty commonly have this feature, so if you’re ever exhausted from doing the other things on our list and running around Panama City or the country, you can kick up your feet and float in the waters with a Seco Sour in hand and enjoy conversation with your travel partner or friends you’ve made along the way. 

Panama City is a city rich with historical and ecological beauty, plus dozens of activities for the tourist and visiting adventurer. Consider this list a smorgasbord of options for you to draw from if you’re planning a visit to the beautiful isthmus of Panama! 

Check out these activities on a map of Panama City:

Other Posts about Panama:

• 8 Must-Eat Spots in Panama City, Panama
• Exploring Boquete, Panamá!
• Life and Travels in Panama City
• 5 Reasons we love Casco Antiguo Spanish School in Panama City
• Our Trip to Panama!

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